The Ennis Sisters have weathered a lifetime of phases and a series of musical explorations together. Come join them as they return to their roots, singing contemporary folk songs with a traditional Irish Newfoundland twist.

Their debut album, “In The Battle Years”, garnered Hillburn an East Coast Music Award last year. With soaring harmonies and densely-layered arrangements, this folk-rooted band’s sound is unique. Having just released their 2nd album, “The Wilder Beyond”, the band has promised a special IRF premiere performance!

Peter Tiefenbach’s contemporary reimagining of Bach’s comic Coffee Cantata, set in a coffee bar, pairs with musical party pieces performed by three Glenn Gould School vocal stars. A twist on Bach and a nod to Leonard Bernstein, Katy Clark, Adam Harris and Zack Rioux join Tiefenbach and Robert Kortgaard around the piano.

Lennie Gallant is a native of Rustico, Prince Edward Island. This renowned Canadian singer-songwriter has recorded eleven albums (nine in English and two in French), which have won him a host of awards and nominations from the JUNOs, East Coast Music Awards, and Les Prix Eloizes. He was recently honored with the Canadian Folk Music Award for Artist of the Year. He is the 2017 East Coast Music Awards Entertainer of the Year and also won the 2017 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year for his live album, “Searching For Abegweit”. Lennie just finished his fourth summer theatre season in PEI and followed that with an East Coast tour of his multimedia hit musical, “Searching For Abegweit -The Island Songs & Stories of Lennie Gallant”. The immensely popular production ran for over 140 shows. His newest release is a double cd album of 22 songs from that production. Many of the show’s visual images appear in his book, Peter’s Dream, a collaboration with sibling visual artist Karen Gallant that showcases 52 of her unique paintings paired up with his songs.

His album, “When We Get There” was nominated for a Juno Award and went up to the International Space Station with Canadian astronaut Julie Payette. Over 30 artists have recorded his songs, including Measha Bruggergosman, Ode de L’Acadie, and Jimmy Buffet and his songs have appeared in feature films, television series, and numerous theatrical productions. A recipient of the Order of Canada, Lennie is an international touring artist who has represented Canada on songwriter events in Nashville, London and Texas, entertained our troops in Kandahar, performed at Canada Day events in Washington and London, and on the world stage at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Lennie Gallant will be releasing his highly anticipated new album called TIME TRAVEL at the Indian River Festival. This is Gallant’s first studio recording in nine years and early response from industry insiders all agree, it is his “finest recording to date”.

“I am so excited about this album! ” says Gallant “It seems the stars are aligned for these songs to come out right now in so many ways.”

Gallant worked with well-known Island born and raised producer Daniel Ledwell on this project and in addition to his band members, Patricia Richard, Jeremy Gallant, and Sean Kemp, there are some special guest appearances by well-known artists such as; Rose Cousins, Jenn Grant, The Atlantic String Machine, The Fretless, Chris Corrigan and Mary Jane Lamond.

“Dan (Ledwell) and I were marvelling at all the strange coincidences that were happening in regards to the particular songs of mine that we selected for the record.” Lennie says “I really believe this is the best album I’ve ever made in so many ways and having so many wonderful guests lend their talents to it, has made the process rather magical and special.”

Gallant is fresh off the heels of a 140 date run of his hit musical Searching For Abegweit, and while the concert will be a celebration of the new works there is no doubt that he will also be performing hits from that show as well as other well-known songs.

The dynamic Ensemble Made in Canada is touring this musical tribute to all provinces and territories with 14 multi-genre Canadian composers (classical, jazz, singer-songwriter, electronic, First Nations) encapsulating the glories of every region. Paired with the masterpiece, Brahms Quartet for piano and strings, a rich autumn feast.

Testimonials

A concert in St. Mary’s Church in Indian River can profoundly heighten one’s appreciation not only music itself, but for all that is behind, that surrounds and brings life to the music as we hear it.”

Todd MacLean (The Guardian, Charlottetown; July 18, 2014)

Thank you for a wonderful evening … voices beautiful, song choices excellent … so much talent!

G. Snow, Charlottetown, PEI

My favourite moment at Indian River was when Chris Norman came to give a concert with his band. I brought my mother with me when she came to visit from Quebec (her first time at Indian River) and she was absolutely in awe of the talents and musicians as well as the acoustics in the church.
Anyone living on PEI of visiting should come to at least one concert each season as there is music for all taste. The new outdoor addition is wonderful and the atmosphere very relaxed.

Nathalie Lefrancois, Patron

The architectural beauty of St. Mary’s Church is reason enough to make it a destination. Add to that the diversity of the music presented there each season and the Indian River Festival and it is a “must see”. World class performances in an intimate venue with acoustics that must be heard to be believed… and if that’s not enough, there’s strawberry shortcake. ’nuff said.

Darrell, Patron

Can’t think of any better reason to attend than getting the chance to hear international calibre musicians in an amazing space – the ambiance and acoustics are incredible – now with the reception area for intermission, it is a complete evening experience.

Barbara Bovaird, Patron

My favorite moment is every moment I hear Matt Anderson play there. He is a Maritime gem and everyone should have the the privilege of hearing him perform in your venue!

Connie Clark, Patron

“I enjoyed playing the piano. It had a lovely touch and resonance to it, and the acoustics in the church was magnificient… Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to perform at the festival this year. I hope that I’ll be invited to do so again another time.”

David Thompson, Youth Legacy performer

We want to say thank you to the Indian River Festival. It was the highlight of our trip to PEI. The beautiful Church with the ambience of the rolling countryside and the weekend of World Beat Music was magic.

J. Ramsay, San Francisco, CA

I really enjoyed Matt Anderson’s show. His performance at Indian River is powerful, resonating, and yet intimate. It is a feeling like no other at any other venue I have been to. It should be on everyone’s ‘to do’ list. Thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Ruth, Patron

“The Rebecca Caine concert was magnificent. It was my best musical experience of the summer — complete with tingles down my spine. The IRF continues to be my favourite concert venue, because it features world-class artists like Caine, who we can’t hear anywhere else on the Island.”